Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is recognized as a formidable approach for identifying alcohol and drug consumption. It provides an extended history of drug and alcohol usage by retaining biomarkers within the strands of growing hair. When collected near the scalp, hair delivers a detection window of roughly three months for alcohol and drugs. Hair is convenient to collect, challenging to tamper with, and easily transported.
A sample of 1.5 inches, consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil), nearest to the scalp, provides 100mg of hair, which is ideal for screening and validating. For tests such as EtG, additional panels above 10 require 150mg of the sample. It's advisable to measure the sample with a jeweler’s scale. In cases where scalp hair isn't available, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be utilized. The term head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair, while body hair encompasses all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory process for drug test results comprises four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the initial sample processing within a laboratory’s system. Tasks include ensuring the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data entries absent from the electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is an initial quick assessment for substance abuse. While it's an economical method to rule out drug use in most samples, a confirmed positive screen is necessary for legal acceptability. Samples with a presumptive positive in Screening must undergo further confirmation.
When a sample is presumptively positive in the Screening phase, more hair from the original sample is prepared for Extraction. This phase extracts drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which contributes to the complexity of hair drug screening.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcomes is conducted using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Samples that are presumptively positive undergo washing prior to confirmation when needed. The comprehensive laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is reviewed under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair classification and conforms to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Though commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination involves the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Testing Outperforms Urine Testing in Riverside, AL lies in its superior detection capabilities. Hair tests offer an extended detection period, providing a more reliable account of substance usage than traditional urine tests. This enhanced accuracy assures employers and institutions of a comprehensive assessment of an individual's history, surpassing the limitations of urine-based methods.
Riverside, AL employers benefit from the Extended Detection Window that hair follicle tests provide. Unlike other methods, hair testing can trace drug usage up to 90 days back. This long-term review helps employers assess the substance history of applicants and employees, informing their decisions with comprehensive and reliable data.
Secure and Tamper-Resistant, hair follicle testing in Riverside, AL significantly lowers the possibility of sample adulteration. Unlike other testing methods, the hair test's robustness ensures that results are trustworthy, providing clear and indisputable evidence of substance usage over extended periods.
Convenient Testing Centers are available in Riverside, AL, as part of a nationwide network. This accessibility guarantees quick and efficient service, allowing individuals and businesses to conduct drug testing without hassle. Our extensive reach means you can rely on us for testing needs, wherever you are.
In Riverside, AL, our hair follicle testing process is Simple and Confidential. Ordering, conducting, and receiving results is straightforward, with special attention given to privacy. This ensures user confidence, making the testing experience seamless and respectful of personal concerns.
Offering Affordable Pricing and Quick Turnaround in Riverside, AL, our testing services represent exceptional value. Businesses of all sizes can benefit from competitive rates and the fast delivery of results, ensuring effective management and peace of mind without exorbitant costs.
Fast and Accurate Results are a hallmark of hair follicle drug testing in Riverside, AL. With its precise methodology, these tests quickly deliver accurate detection of substances, offering unmatched reliability compared to traditional tests. The speed at which results are provided does not compromise the high accuracy, making it a preferred choice for various institutions.
With hair follicle testing in Riverside, AL, employers can achieve Compliance and Peace of Mind. This method helps maintain a drug-free workplace, aligns with legal standards, and minimizes potential liabilities by providing clear and reliable results that support policy enforcement.
